Every American high school student knows, or should know, that President Ronald Reagan went to the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin on this date in 1987. The President said: If you seek liberalization, open this gate Mr. Gorbachev,tear down this wall. (Yes, kids, there was a West Berlin then.)

*snip*

As important as Reagans dramatic call to tear down this wall was, we should not forget what else he said that memorable day twenty-five years ago. His speech contained the most eloquent paean to religious freedom we have heard.

Reagan was not afraid to point to:

the most fundamental distinction of all between East and West. The totalitarian world produces backwardness because it does such violence to the spirit, thwarting the human impulse to create, to enjoy, to worship. The totalitarian world finds even symbols of love and of worship an affront.

Years ago, before the East Germans began rebuilding their churches, they erected a secular structure: the television tower at Alexander Platz. Virtually ever since, the authorities have been working to correct what they view as the tower's one major flaw, treating the glass sphere at the top with paints and chemicals of every kind.

Yet even today when the sun strikes that sphere--that sphere that towers over all Berlin--the light makes the sign of the cross. There in Berlin, like the city itself, symbols of love, symbols of worship, cannot be suppressed.

Reagans speech that day is knownif it is taught at allas his Tear Down This Wall speech. But it could as well be known as his Sign of the Cross Speech. Thats because he was the first President of the United States to invoke the Sign of the Cross in a public address.

Reagan knew how strong those words would echo in the Captive Nations ....

President Reagan sensed that the days of Eastern Europe living in prison camp was numbered. Even so, the State Department had fits, and the media (and maybe even me, back then) considered his words to be highly provocative.

But he knew EXACTLY what he was saying...and Eastern Europe (and basically Russia) are FREE!!!!!!

For us people that grew up during the Cold War, we NEVER thought that the Soviets could be defeated without huge amounts of bloodshed...how wrong we were.

President Reagan sensed that the days of Eastern Europe living in prison camp was numbered. Even so, the State Department had fits, and the media (and maybe even me, back then) considered his words to be highly provocative.

On some issues Reagan used his advisers, but for important issues like this it was all him. He was a rarity.

5
posted on 06/12/2012 9:15:44 PM PDT
by Moonman62
(The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)

My daughter was so excited coming home from school today. She has to do a presentation on politics in the 1980’s (she picked it out of a jar).

I pointed her to the 25 minute Brandenburg Gate speech and told her there is one line in there that all of the U.S. officials didn’t want in it, but Reagan penciled it in again on the limo ride over. BUT - the entire speech really describes so much of Reagan’s view of government and the people in the world.

Freedom and liberty of the Individual bring peace, prosperity and enrichment to the nations.

“On some issues Reagan used his advisers, but for important issues like this it was all him. He was a rarity.”

Yep, his ‘advisers’ practically did a group dive (without parachutes) off the Empire State Building when they heard those words. They were ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED that the Soviets would never, ever, negotiate with us after such an outburst...how wrong they were.

President Reagan had to wait most of his life to get into a position where he could tell the Soviet leaders what he thought of them...he was not amount to let of metrosexuals at State stop him.

I tear up every time I see an old Reagan movie or hear that great mans voice. What an honor to have voted for such a great man, great leader, and a wonderful speaker.
I wonder how Mrs. Reagan is....does anyone know how she is doing? I often think of Reagan’s funeral and the crowds there to honor him and her. When the gentleman in the crowd yelled “God bless you Mrs. Reagan”...wow. What a moment in time that was.

12
posted on 06/13/2012 4:41:04 AM PDT
by 4everontheRight
(And the story began with..."Once there was a great nation......")

**Ronald Reagan had a surer grasp of history and power. Whats the good of having power if you dont wield power for good? Like Churchill, he would fear God and dread nought. Under the Sign of the Cross that day a quarter century ago, Ronald Reagan took a bold stand for freedom.**

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